The lights came back on, revealing the expectant faces surrounding me. Mom stood nearby with a knife, ready to cut the cake.
"Who gets the first piece, Elara?" she asked with a warm smile.
Everyone's eyes were on me. This was more than just cake—it was a statement of priority, of who mattered most in my life now. I could feel Orion's expectant gaze on my left and sensed Rhys watching intently from across the room.
I took a deep breath and met my brother's eyes.
"Ethan," I said firmly. "My brother gets the first piece."
Surprise flickered across his face, followed by a genuine smile that made him look like the mischievous boy I'd known years ago, before everything fell apart. We hadn't been close since I'd left Silver Moon Pack, our relationship strained by my history with his best friend.
"Really?" Ethan asked, moving forward hesitantly.
"Really," I confirmed, squeezing his hand as Mom handed him the first slice. "We're family, and I've missed that."
